10 June 2025, Islamic Republic of Iran – The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in the Islamic Republic of Iran held a virtual meeting on 21 May 2025 with the universities of medical sciences in Arak, Saveh and Khomein, key health authorities in Markazi Province, to introduce WHO technical support for the Healthy Cities Programme and initiatives to address the social determinants of health through primary health care.

The meeting, convened at the request of Dr Javad Nazari, Chancellor of Arak University of Medical Sciences, explored opportunities for WHO collaboration to address the Province's pressing health challenges, including a high burden of road traffic injuries and air pollution.

Opening the session, Dr Nazari outlined the leading causes of mortality and health inequities in the Province. He commended WHO’s longstanding support for strengthening the Iranian health system and referenced health priorities discussed during the Health Diplomacy Workshop held on Kish Island between 14 and 15 May 2025.

WHO Representative and Head of Mission in the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain reaffirmed WHO’s readiness to provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, universities of medical sciences and local health authorities to advance health equity through intersectoral collaboration and active community engagement. He acknowledged the strong political will demonstrated by local leadership and noted that the participation of the chancellors of the 3 universities was a testament to their dedication.

“Iran has achieved remarkable progress in health, lessons that can be shared across the Region and beyond,” said Dr. Hussain. “With sustained commitment and close coordination with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, these challenges can be effectively addressed.”

The session featured a presentation by Dr Sedyghe Salavati from the Secretariat of Maragheh Healthy City, the second city in Iran to be recognized by WHO under the Healthy Cities Programme. She presented Maragheh’s success story as a model of how intersectoral collaboration and community engagement can improve urban health.

Head of the Healthier Populations Unit at WHO Iran Dr Rahim Taghizadeh Asl introduced the national protocol and pilot projects focused on addressing the social determinants of health through primary health care and emphasized the integration of these efforts as a complementary component of WHO’s broader health equity agenda.

Head of the Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) Unit at WHO Iran Dr Afshin Ostovar highlighted WHO’s technical support for NCD risk reduction, tobacco control under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and strategies to reduce road traffic injuries. He underlined the importance of a multipronged approach that includes safer vehicles, improved infrastructure, behavioural change, enforcement of road safety laws and enhanced post-crash care.

The meeting ended with provincial health authorities voicing strong interest in moving forward. As a next step, Arak University of Medical Sciences will brief the Governor of Markazi Province and initiate coordination with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education to formalize technical collaboration with WHO.